BULGARIAN TRAIL - BULGARIA

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This trail ride follows the ancient trails that for hundreds of years have connected north Bulgaria with the south. It starts from a small town on the north side of the Balkan Mountains, and brings you to the highest point in the Balkan Range, Mount Botev (2376 m). You'll ride through towns with interesting architecture and old monasteries, and spend the night there. It continues through the Valley of Roses to the Sredna Gora mountains where you'll stay in a mountain chalet Svezhen 1100 m high. The views of the Valley of the Thracian Kings are impressive, and after having entered the check-point the ride continues through the Central Balkan National Park before returning back to base.

Trip length 8 days / 7 nights Ride only price 2008: £699 Departure dates 2008 Dates: 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 May; 14 (FULL), 21, 28 (FULL), June; 12, 26 July; 2, 16 (FULL), 23, 30 August, 6, 13, September. Approximate riding time per day 4-6 hours Riding ability required Walk, trot and canter Group size 4-8 Meeting point (getting there) Sofia Airport Transfer Included from meeting point at set times. Other times can be arranged for a fee of €50 per car, payable on site. Flight guide London - Sofia with Wizz Air or Hemus Air from £55 return (see below for flight information) Single supplement none if willing to share, otherwise £70

SAMPLE ITINERARY - BULGARIAN TRAIL

Day 1
You'll be met in the airport and transfered to the mountains. Accommodation at the base in a double room with shared facilities. Evening meal.

Day 2
In the morning the riders choose their horse and you ride out in the wonderful terrains around the little town. After lunch the trek starts and you ride up into the mountains for roughly 3 hours to the first chalet. All mountain chalets on the ride are 2-3 bedded with shared facilities.

Day 3
The trail continues through the National Park over the Balkan Mountains. From Mt. Botev the Mariza plains open up on the horizons. After 6-7 hours ride the day ends at a small monastery where the riders and horse will find a rest for the night.

Day 4
In the morning you'll have time to explore the monastery and the life in the small town. After lunch the
trail passes through the “Valley of Roses” and after nearly 5 hours you'll reach the Sredna Gora Mountains where we will overnight in a mountain chalet.

Day 5
The whole day is ridden around  “The Valley of Roses”. Play, fun and games with the horses – a ride to the village – relax at the edge of a small lake. In the fantastic meadows you have all possibilities to break into a gallop or to be a pathfinder together with the riding guide in the waste surroundings. Evening accommodation is at a different mountain chalet.

Day 6
After breakfast we head north on a long 7 hours ride where you'll reach your overnight accommodation, another mountain chalet.

Day 7
We continue over the mountains back to the place where it all began. After the 6 hour ride you'll see the stables and the arena marking the end of the trail.

Day 8
After breakfast you'll have free time until your departure to the airport, where you'll have the chance to say good-bye to the horses at the end of your horse riding holidays. 

All itineraries are for guidance only and may be altered due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances.

NOTES - BULGARIAN TRAIL

It is not possible to have a single room on this ride due to accommodation limitations and you should be prepared to share.

For the set transfer times arrival at Sofia should be no later than 18:00 on the day of arrival and departure booked no earlier than 12:00 on the day of departure.

SOFIA
Sofia is definitely worth a visit. We recommend a few nights to explore teh old churches, antique markets with Soviet and WWII relics, art and ethnic museums as well as almost Viennese coffee and cake shops. The best place to stay is the Sveta Sofia hotel which is located in the heart of Sofia on the main pedestrian road. We can book additional nights in this hotel for £77 per double room, £68 per single room.

The weight limit for this ride is 14 st/198 lb/90 kg, please enquire if you are an experienced rider exceeding this weight.

WHAT IS INCLUDED
All transfers from the meeting point at set times, accommodation inmulti bedded rooms with shared bathroom, all meals, mineral water, tea and coffee, riding as per itinerary, horses, tack, English speaking guide, luggage transport and excursions described in itinerary.

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
Flights, transfers outside set times (available for €50 per car payable on site), single supplement when available, alcoholic and canned drinks, items of a personal nature.

FURTHER DETAILS
As we are specialists in our field we have extensive knowledge of all our products from details of accommodation and meals to number/size/type of horses to pace of riding ... and much more.

Should you wish to receive further details of this ride please click here.

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